They are just getting impatient like a lot of teams. Wanting a change for the sake of change. It would take a lot for them to make a move though.
If we did not give up Dame or CJ or Nurkic, yes, we would make that leap by adding George and subtracting whoever it takes to get him. But is that even possible? If not, the leap, if any, might not be enough.
Woj: Pacers assessing PG trade value: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources-pacers-assessing-trade-market-for-paul-george-180740295.html
"Teams trading for George run the risk of losing the four-time All-Star to a Lakers franchise that will have the salary-cap space to sign him in 2018. The Lakers’ hiring of Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations will be an interesting twist to George’s free-agent recruitment, given that Johnson has been something of a George family icon going back to George’s childhood in nearby Palmdale, Calif."
Offer three picks and a player or two, and if that fails consider offering CJ (as much as I love him). It's a 1.5-year rental though so maybe tanking for top 10 pick and getting Jackson or Isaac would work better long term.
Ya getting him would be a calculated risk. The hope is that he would see a trio of Dame/CJ/himself as providing enough of a winning potential than anything LA has to offer. Sidebar: he's represented by an agent who we made very rich this past summer (Aaron Mintz). Mintz also represents Crabbe and Leonard.
Who knows how interested the Lakers would be with PG13 in over a year? Depending on their drafts and development of Ingram, they may want to a different direction and not break the bank on an aging SF.
Crabbe, Harkless, Leonard, three firsts for George and salary dump of Jefferson or Monta. That's a good offer for a guy that may easily walk next summer.
Some other 2018 Free Agents: Boogie, LeBron, LaMarcus, DeAndre Jordan, Isaiah Thomas, Westbrook (if we walks from player option), Avery Bradley, Brook Lopez, Wes Matthews, among others. I wouldn't think a 30-year-old PG would be the first target for the Lakers. It will be PG's last massive contract, and I bet he will go with whoever can pay the most and still field a competitive team.
Rental shmental. We always use that excuses for not going for all stars that just might be available. No wonder way we don't ever win.